The U.S. Hasn't Been This Hot Since Record-Keeping Began in 1895

There is no doubt that the month of July was a scorcher for most of the U.S. Unfortunately for those weary of the heat, the record high temperatures that rippled across the country last month are simply a sign of a hotter climate overall.

Hottest July on the Record Books

A series of potent heat domes set up over much of the U.S in July, sending the mercury soaring to record levels. The Lower 48 eclipsed a benchmark that had been in place since the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), temperatures across the contiguous U.S. averaged 76.9 degrees, good enough to make it the hottest month since record-keeping started in 1895.

The average daily highs for the month came in at 0.1-0.2 degrees hotter than the previous record years in 1936 and 2012. In addition, the data showed that overnight readings throughout the Lower 48 were also the highest ever in recorded history, bottoming out with an average of 64.2 degrees.

The similarities between 2026 and the 1936 Dust Bowl cannot be ignored. Like 2026, 1936 also saw a pervasive drought that amplified the heat. As such, it is not a surprise that this year shattered long-standing records.

Low snowpack totals across both the Southwest and the mid-Atlantic translated to dry soil conditions heading into the spring months. The drought was exacerbated by the lack of moisture in June and July, paving the way for temperatures to reach even higher levels.